The beat report
An 11-year-old boy recently struck up a conversation with me in the hallway outside a juvenile court hearing.
The kid was playing with action figures. He banged them together while making fighting noises. His mother sat next to him reading a book.
The boy was there for his brother’s court hearing. He said he was the youngest, which meant he got to live the longest.
He asked me if I was a police officer. After I told him no, he told me he wanted to be a cop.
He said he has only had a few Fs and maybe a D on his report cards. Other than that, he said he has gotten all As, Bs and Cs. He said he knew he had to have good grades to be a cop.
He later said “hello” to a woman, who ignored him. He then complained to a bailiff about the woman’s slight.
He was a talkative kid, and I think he has a bright future.
LEFT IN THE NOTEBOOK
More than a half dozen people at the Rock County Courthouse rally supporting unions wouldn’t talk to me. They were upset about the Gazette endorsing the collective bargaining portion of the budget repair bill. They also weren’t fond of WCLO’s conservative talk show host. I reminded the protesters that I cover news and don’t write for the opinion pages. They still thought that reporters in general — around Wisconsin and the United States — have been inaccurate about their reporting of the marches in Madison. They just didn’t trust me or news reporters in general. Still, I found some people willing to talk to me.
It was fun going with three Janesville police officers when they read to a preschool class. It was hilarious to see all these little kids want hugs from the officers. I’ve never seen cops become such softies. I’m not sure officers ever get treated as well as they do in a preschool class. The kids thought they were superheroes.
When the officers read to the preschool kids, one little boy blurted out something about how his dad had been arrested or in jail. That was sad.
RANDOM OBSERVATIONS
Lots of commenters rip my photo at the top of this blog. I think it’s hilarious. The jokes about my “There’s Something About Mary” hair are good. My favorite comments are about how I look like Squiggy from “Laverne & Shirley.” Google Squiggy. It’s pretty funny.
The ladies at the Rock County District Attorney’s Office have had the office decorated in green shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day. The shamrocks went up as soon as the red heart decorations came down after Valentine’s Day. The ladies are always festive.
QUOTABLE
“Guilty,” Samuel A. Morrow, in a plea to charges related to the shooting of two people on Thanksgiving Day.
"A gun," children at Faith Little Friends day care, when asked to name the tools on Janesville police officer Brian Foster’s tool belt.
"It still feels good to say I wrote a book," Janesville police officer Kevin Olin, in an interview about the children’s book, “A Day with a Janesville Police Officer," which officers wrote and published.
TWEETS WORTH RETWEETING
“Re: no interviews. Ppl won't talk cuz press has ignored, skewered and twisted all words. Fox made it personal … Deceit has run rampant against LW,” @LWMomRptr, referring to why people wouldn’t talk to me at the rally.
“Bomb threat a block away from my home,” @JamesDebilzen, regarding the Milton boy accused of making a fake bomb and temporarily closing a school.
FAVORITE FACEBOOK COMMENTS
“I cannot believe its come to this...police being bothered by parents who cannot control their own kids,” J.O., commenting on a post about a woman calling police because her son had gone to the middle school recreation night, even though he was grounded.
“People call the police for crap like that and yet my mom's gotten a $40 citation for a "false alarm" because the ADT alarm in her house went off because of a malfunction. The citation came almost 2 months after the incident,” C.L., regarding the same post.
OFF THE BEAT
Today is St. Patrick’s Day, and my last name is Sullivan. I’m fifth-generation Irish American after my great-great grandparents came from Ireland. I’m proud of that.
I recently switched to Eight O’ Clock coffee, which I make at home every morning. I used to drink Folgers. Eight O’Clock is cheap and tastes pretty good. I always make coffee at home, although I sometimes buy cheap gas station stuff. I can’t stand paying $3 or $4 for a latte at real coffee shops.
I hope my NCAA bracket isn’t a bust. I’m in a few bracket challenges, and I’d like to win for once.
My wife and her friends are doing Zumba, and I think it’s pretty cool. I’d like to try it someday.
LOOKING AHEAD
Just one more week of work before I’m off for a week.
Also, I’ll be working on a feature story about spring Walleye fishing. I’ve heard the fishing is pretty good.
Ted Sullivan can be reached at (608) 755-8253, tsullivan@gazettextra.com or follow him on Twitter or Facebook at Rock County Crime.
Apr 1, 2011 at 3:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
hi, I have a friend that her daughter was on that bus and she claims he did not say it was a bomb. I feel that a 11yr old was like me and love taking things apart. it would be ashame if the family and child is going through this nightmare on some thing that may have been miss understood. If a child cannot take things apart they don't have a chance to explore and with all the programs being cut from the school system and parents having to work to make ends meet. I remember showing our bus driver things in the 60's and i may have said man this is the bomb, you know coolbeans, sweet, grovey i feel there has been to much over a child that was using a different lingo than our generation used. Recheck the facts, let him go back to school and learn the words he should be saying.............patty potter milton parent
Mar 19, 2011 at 8:55 p.m.
Suggest removal
A couple of people have said the kid that made the bomb threat will not be able to vote or own a gun for the rest of his life. Both assumptions are wrong. He is a juvenile. His juvenile record will be sealed unless he is waived to adult court. His record will not follow him.
Adult felons can vote after they have served their time and have been released from probation.
I don't have direct knowledge of this child. If its true that Mom is already in jail and Dad is not involved in his life, there is no reason not to handle this through the courts. He needs some kind of direction in his life. Poor parenting isn't doing him any favors.
Mar 19, 2011 at 7:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
It was not your computer. This happened to me too. Something was amiss I guess. Just FYI
Mar 19, 2011 at 5:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
You know how every once in a while a website will act up and do something goofy? Well I just logged onto gazetteextra.com and there was your face, Ted, huge as can be along side half of a truck, right on the front page...lol. Pretty funny.
Mar 19, 2011 at 1:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
I know you will Ted, because you want to, and that alone says a lot. I'm sure you're aware of issues with other blogs, so it is more than appreciated that you keep your ears open. To be a great leader, one must endeavor to be the best follower. For if we close our ears to opinion, we here only one loud voice. That is not what you or I am about, nor this paper I believe. I believe this type of reporting and give and take should be fostered and acknowledged. I intend to be there to encourage this as best I can. Lead on >>>
Mar 19, 2011 at 12:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
Thanks, Kiesha. I'll do my best to respond to comments and questions. I need to be better about that. -Ted
Mar 19, 2011 at 10:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
Also I like a blogger who responds to the comments, as youi are doing, rather than completely ignore commentors who show the blogger to be less than honest. This is refreshing and much more appealing than...some...others.
Mar 19, 2011 at 10:43 a.m.
Suggest removal
Mr. Ted, I salute you. This is good information and I will support this blog with my comments and my wit. Yeah... Like I ever had any wit... What's up "wit" that anyways?
Mar 18, 2011 at 11:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
You want a real workout try crossfit, there warm up is your workout
Mar 18, 2011 at 9:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bellagio - I agree he should be punished... but just not for life. "Legal" fines and punishment mean nothing to an 11 year old. The fact he cant ever vote, own a gun, hunt... is meaningless to him now because he wouldnt have been able to for another 7 years anyway.
Kids make prank calls to 911, pull fire alarms, its just kids. While it is bad yes, who acts in the same demeanor at the age of 18 on up as they did when they were 11. Do you? My friends and I threw snowballs at cars, even a rock or two. Now older I cant think of why we did it.
Mar 18, 2011 at 3:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
Thanks for the comments, everyone. Good discussion. Glad some of you like this new blog.
Mar 18, 2011 at 1:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
For those of you wondering about the missing child report which was on the Latest News section, the child was found safe.
http://www.channel3000.com/news/27239987...
Mar 18, 2011 at 11:42 a.m.
Suggest removal
Ted - I love the light hearted format. But then again, I always like the blogs you put together.
garyprimer - Amen! Thanks for the laugh!
Mar 18, 2011 at 11:02 a.m.
Suggest removal
On a side note, the 3 arrested for the prostitution ring can be found on facebook...lol. Gotta love the internet. Some real class acts.
Mar 18, 2011 at 9:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
I like this beat report. You should keep it in this format.
Mar 17, 2011 at 9:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bellagio....Sigma actually trumped you on this one...LMAO.
Mar 17, 2011 at 6:47 p.m.
Suggest removal
Bellagio - So he'll never be able to vote or own a gun his entire life because of something he did at 11? Kinda dumb. We all do stupid things as kids....while this was pretty dumb, his life shouldnt be ruined for a harmless act like this. Imaginations run wild in kids and hes hurting for attention. A mark like this against him will deter him from a lot in life. He could be 180 degrees from what he is now in 3-4 years. I know lots of kids at that age that did dumb stuff. Pre 9/11 they didnt get the firing squad like this.
Mar 17, 2011 at 4:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Any self respecting Sullivan should be belly up to the bar at O'Riley and Conways today. Cheers!
Mar 17, 2011 at 3:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
I think that the kid has what it takes to be our next governor.
Mar 17, 2011 at 1:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
Sigma, I never thought I would say this, but I agree with you.
His mom is in jail, he is in a foster home, no mention of Dad. He needs counseling not court hearings or things will only get worse.
Mar 17, 2011 at 12:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
I cant believe what they are charging that 11 yr old kid for the fake bomb. Pre-9/11 he would have got a slap, maybe suspended for awhile. Now its rediculous this paranoia we live in. kids always used to play with stuff like that.....only difference is we never tried to threaten anyone.
Mar 17, 2011 at 12:25 p.m.
Suggest removal
If you want a good workout you should check out P90X. I am currently on my second week of Insanity and it is nuts!!!! I personally like to workout at home. lol. I see those girls doing Zumba in the middle of the mall and just don't think I could do it!!! LOL
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.